Pretzel-twisting machine



March 14, 1967 'E.1.-GROF 3,308,770

PHETZEL-TWISTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN T0 R. [OW/IV G/POFF ATIO/PA/EX March 14, 1967 E. l. GROFF 3,303,770

PRETZEL'TWISTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1964 7 SheetsSheet 2 IN VEN TOR [OM/M/ GPO/=7 BY m ag Q 5% MN NM mmv March 14, 1967 E. l. GROFF 3,308,770

PR'ETZEL-TWISTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1964 '7 SheetsSheet 5 N Afro/(war PRETZEL-TWISTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 V "T717 7 $5 a:

#0 Hair" Z23 120 I @f L o 1:33 I, ,2; r 11 w J 87 "-80 /5'/ 13 /3; a: 86 ff] INVENTOR. 5 0W//V GEOFF WK W March 14, 1967 E. l. GRCJFF PRETZEL-TWISTING MACHINE '7 SheetsSheet 5 Filed Nov. 24, 1964 INVENTOR. [OM/UV GPO/7 I By Wk. M

March 14, 1967 E. 1. GROFF 3,308,770

PRETZEL-TWISTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. fDW/A/ G/POFF ATIOA /VX arch 14, 1967 E. 1. GROFF PRETZEL-TWISTING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Nov. 24, 1964 INVENTOR. fDW/N 6/90/7 ATTOP/Vfl United States Patent Ofitice 3,308,770 Patented Mar. 14, 1967 3,308,770 PRETZEL-TWISTING MACHINE Edwin I. Groif, West Reading, Pa, assignor to Quinlan Pretzel Company, Inc., Reading, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Nov. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 413,517 11 Claims. (Cl. 1078) This invention relates generally to pretzel-forming machinery, and is especially concerned with pretzel-forming machinery of the type wherein a dough strip is initially bent into a U shape, the legs thereof pinched together,

followed by twisting of the legs and swinging of the legs to the bight of the dough strip. This general twisting operation is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,026,526, and others. However, the forming mechanisms and cooperating elements of such prior devices have been relatively complex and expensive to manufacture.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a pretzel-forming device of the type described which is relatively simple in structure, substantially reduced in the number of parts, and more efficient and reliable in operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pretzel-forming device having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, which is rugged and durable throughout a long useful life, and which can be economically manufactured, installed and maintained, to effect substantial savings in manufacturin g costs.

The instant invention further contemplates a particularly simplified construction employing a pair of work members, one of which may be relatively fixed, and wherein leg-pinching fingers are carried by the other work member for extensile and retractile movement through the work face thereof.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and reerrin" to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a rotary drum of the present invention carrying the pretzel-forming mechanism, as along the line 11 of FIGURE 2, and partly broken away to better illustrate the forming mechanism;

FIGURES la, 1b, 1c and 1d are plan views of a dough strip illustrating successive steps in the pretzel-forming operation;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the drum of FIGURE 1, as taken along the line 22 of FIGUREI;

FIGURE 3 is a partial elevational view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, enlarged for clarity;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 55 of FIGURE 4 and illustrating the mechanism in operative and inoperative positions;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to FIGURE 2, but enlarged for clarity and partly in section, the pinching fingers being illustrated in closed or pinching condition;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6, but from the oposite side thereof, interiorly of the drum;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7 but illustrating the fingers in their open condition;

FIGURE 9 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 99 of FIGURE 7 and illustrating a finger in closed pinching engagement with a dough strip;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 1010 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 11-11 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 12 is a partial sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 1212 of FIGURE 2, being enlarged and having certain elements shown in phantom for clarity;

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 1313 of FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 1414 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 15 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 1515 of FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 16 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 1616 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 17 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 17-47 of FIGURE 16;

FIGURE 18 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 1818 of FIGURE 17;

FIGURE 19 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 19-19 of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 20 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 2020 of FIGURE 12; and

FIGURE 21 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 21-21 of FIGURE 12.

Before referring to the particular construction of the instant device, attention is directed to FIGURES 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, which illustrate the essential steps in the formation of a pretzel. A dough strip is there generally designated 3G, and upon delivery to the forming mechanism assumes the inverted U-shaped configuration of FIGURE in, including an arcuate medial region or bight 31 and a pair of generally straight, depending legs 32 extending from opposite ends of the bight. In the stage of FIG- URE 1b the legs or sides of the dough strip are indented or pinched together, as at opposite regions 33 spaced between the bight 31 and free ends of the legs. The pinched legs are then twisted together through approximately 360 degrees, as shown in FIGURE 10, the twisted region being the previously indented or pinched locations 33. The legs 32, including the twisted pinched regions 33 are then folded or swung to overlie the bight 31, with the free ends of the legs pressed against and pasted to the bight, as at 34.

Referring now more particularly to the forming mechanism, and specifically to FIGURES l and 2 of the drawings, a rotary drum is generally designated 40 and disposed horizontally, being mounted for axial rotation upon a generally horizontal shaft 41 carried at its opposite ends by a pair of fixed frame pieces or side plates 42 and 43.

The drum 40 is interposed between the frame pieces 42 and 43, and may include a pair of end structures 44 and 45 spaced axially along the shaft 41. The drum end structure 44 may include a generally circular head or end plate 46 coaxial with the shaft 41, and a plurality of generally fiat plates 47 projecting normally from the inner side of the headplate 46 and arranged in equi angulate relationship about the end plate. In the illustrated embodiment, six generally fiat plates 47 are illustrated extending in chordal relation about the inner side of end plate 46. Similarly, the drum end structure 45 may include a generally circular end plate or head 48 arranged coaxially of the shaft 41 and having on its inner side extending normal thereto a plurality of generally fiat plates 49 arranged in chordal, equiangular relationship peripherally about the end plate 48. Corresponding to the end-structure plates 47, the end-structure plates 49 may be six in number and arranged in coplanarity with respective plates 47.

The horizontal shaft 41 may be fixed to the frame pieces 42 and 43, and the drum end structures 44 and 45 suitably journaled for free rotation about the shaft. Extending between and. fixedly secured to the drum end structures 44 and 45 are a plurality of cross supports or tie bars 50, see FIGURE 12, each having its opposite ends fixedly secured by any suitable means to the drumheads 46 and 48. The tie members or bars 50 thus extend in parallelism with each other and with shaft '41, and may correspond in number to the plates 47 and '49, being equiangularly spaced about the shaft 41 radially inward of the plates 47 and 49. This rigid structure of drumheads 46 and 48 and connecting tie members 59 may constitute the skeleton or framework of the drum 4%. Extending from the outer side of drumhead 48, centrally thereof is a sprocket wheel 55 carrying a drive chain 56. The sprocket wheel 55 and chain 56 may constitute a transmission connected in drivenrelation with suitable drive means (not shown) for effecting the desired. drum rotation.

Carried by each pair of aligned inwardly extending plates or flats 47, 49 is a forming mechanism, generally designated 58. Each forming mechanism comprises a generally flat base plate 59 extending rigidly between and having its outer or working face substantially coplanar with respective adjacent flats 47 and 49. More particularly, each base plate 59 extends generally longitudinally of the drum 40, having its opposite ends secured fast to respective flats 47 and 49, as by fasteners '60 and 61, or other suitable securing means. The base plates 59 are thus rotatable with the drum 4t} and otherwise immovable relative to the drum. Each base plate 59 may have one side or longitudinal edge 62 substantially straight, and has its other longitudinal side formed with a medial extension 63, extending generally circumferentially of the drum and substantially coplanar with the remainder of the base plate. The side extension 63 of each base plate 59 is formed with a cutout 64 extending laterally inward toward and terminating short of the plate edge 62, medially between the base-plate ends.

Each pretzel-forming mechanism 58 further includes an additional, generally flat twister plate 66 located substantially within and extending partially outward beyond the cutout 64. In the condition illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the twister plate 66 has its outer or working face substantially coplanar with the outer or working face of base plate 59. The twister plate 66 is carried by a swinging yoke 67 extending between the hats 47 and 49 generally along the edge of base-plate extension 63. At opposite ends the yoke 67 is pivotally mounted on respective flats 47 and 49, as by aligned journals 68 and 69. That is, the journals or pivotal mounts 68 and 69 are aligned with each other and extend in substantial parallelism with the drum axis. In addition, the yoke 67, medially thereof, carries the twister plate 66 by a pivotal connection or journal mounting 70 having its axis lying in a plane normal to the shaft 41 and extending generally normal to the aligned axes of pivots 68 and 69. The twister plate 66 is thus mounted for twisting rotation about the axis of pivot means 70, and also swingable with the yoke 67 to overlie the base plate 59.

On the outer or work face of the base plate 59, medially thereof and. outstanding therefrom, are a plurality of arcuate walls or segments 72, 73 and 74 arranged in end-to-end spaced relation defining a generally semicircular configuration. That is, the outstanding arcuate segments 72 and 73 are disposed adjacent to and spaced inward from opposite ends of the base plate 59, while the outstanding arcuate segment 74 is interposed. in endto-end, spaced relation between the segments 72 and 73, adjacent to and spaced inwardfrom the base-plate edge 62. When the base plate 59 is in position to ,re-

ceive dough, generally vertical asseen in FIGURE 1,

the segment 74 is uppermost and receives the medial or bight portion 31 of a dough strip 30, the leg portions 32 depending along and beyond the side segments 72 and 73. The segments 72., 73 and 74 may be integral with or otherwise fixed to the fixed base plate 59.

In the regions between the middle segment 74 and side segments 72 and 73, there may be mounted in the base plate 59 a pair of extensile and retractile members or paster pins 76 and 77. The pin 76 is located generally between the adjacent, spaced. ends of segments 72 and 74, while the pin 77 is located between the adjacent, spaced ends of segments 73 and 7-4. As best seen in FIGURE 16, the pins 76 and '77 are each independently mounted in the fixed base plate 59 for extension outward through the outer or working face thereof and retraction to the illustrated position flush with the working face. Suitable resilient means, such as coil compression springs 78 and 79 may be employed to urge the pins 76 and 77 to their retracted, flush positions. In this condition, the inner ends of the pins 76 and 77 project inward beyond the base plate 59.

Extending longitudinally through the drum 40, inward of or behind each base plate 59 is a rotary operating shaft 89 for efiecting extension and retraction of the paster pins 76 and 77. Each operating shaft 80 may have its opposite ends journaled in opposite ends of the drum 40, as in the drumhead 46 in FIGURE 16. Exteriorly of the drumhead 46, carried by the shaft 80 is a crank arm 81 provided on its distal end with a cam follower 82. Upon drum rotation, the cam follower 82 engages a cam 83, fixed to the external frame member 42 (see FIGURES 1 and 2) to effect desired rotation of the shaft 80. As best seen in FIGURE 1, each crank arm 81 is limited against rotation in one direction by a stop fixed to the drum, and resiliently urged against the stop by a leaf spring 84, or other suitable resilient means. Referring again to FIGURES 16-18, it will be seen that the operating shaft 80 has a medial region 85 offset from the axis of shaft rotation and swingable into bearing engagement with the inner ends of pins 76 and 77. Thus, upon rotation of shaft 80, the offset portion 85 engages the pins 76 and 77 to extend the latter outward beyond the working face of base plate 59.

Also mounted on the outer or working face of base plate 59 are a pair of curved ejector strips 86 and 87, extending in close conforming relation along the convex side of respective segments 72 and 73. The ejector members or strips 86 and 87 are carried by pins 88 and 89 extending slidably through holes in the base plate 59. The inner ends of pins 88 and 89 are secured to a connector plate 90 inward of the base plate 59 and movable toward and away from the base plate to move the ejector members 86 and 87 outward to their ejecting position (shown in phantom in FIGURE 21), and inward to their solid-line position on the working face of the base plate. A guide pin 91 has one end fixed to the base plate 59 centrally of the segments 72, 73 and 74, and projects inward from the base plate slidably through the ejectorpin connector plate 9% Circumposed about the guide pin 91 may be a coil compression spring 92 resiliently urging the connector plate radially inward of the drum to the position retracting the ejector members 86 and 87.

Associated with each forming mechanism 58, interiorly of the drum 40 is ejector-operating means including a mounting bracket 95, see FIGURE 12 fixed to the adjacent bar 56, as by fastener means 96. The bracket 95 may include a pair of'spa-ced journals 96 carrying a shaft 97. An operating lever 98 may include a pair of spaced arms 99 rotatably carried by the shaft 97 and projecting in substantial parallelism with each other from the shaft. An additional arm may project from one of the arms 99 oppositely beyond the shaft 97. The shaft 97 extends generally parallel to the drum axis, inward of the adjacent base plate 59, andsupports the 125 and cross member lever 98 for rocking movement of its arms 99. The dist-a1 ends of the lever arms 99 are adjacent to the ejector connector member 90; and the connector member may be provided on its inner side with a pair of spaced lugs 101 each'carrying a bearing pin 102 in the path of rocking movement of the arms 99. Thus, upon rocking movement of the lever 88, its arms 99 engage the bearing members 102 to effect outward movement of connector member 90 and extension of ejectors 86 and 87, all against the resilient force of spring 92.

An angulate cam arm 103 has one end fixed to the lever extension 100, as by fastener 104, and extends about and radially inward of the adjacent tie bar 50, carrying on its inner end a cam follower or roller 104. The angulate arm 103 and its attached follower 104 may be seen in FIGURES l2 and 20. Fixed to the shaft 41 is a cam 105 located for actuating engagement with the follower 104. It will be apparent that, referring to FIGURE 12, upon rotation of the drum 40 in the counterclockwise direction, the ejector-operating lever 98 and arm 103 will be rocked clockwise as the follower 104 rides upon a lobe or high spot of the cam 105. This action will effect extension of the ejectors 86 and 87 by engagement of the arms 99 with the pins 102 of connector member 90.

Each twister plate 66 is located partially within the cutout 64 of a respective base plate 59, and is of generally rectangular-outline configuration having generally parallel end edges 110 adjacent to respective sides of the cutout. Medially on the outer side edge of each twister plate 66 may be provided a collar 111 carrying a shaft 112 journaled in the bearing 70 to mount the twister plate for twisting rotation about the shaft axis. The inner .side of the twister plate 66 is formed with a pair of arcuate, convex edge portions 113 each extending inward from a respective end edge 110. Each twister plate is further formed with a pair of notches or slots 114, which may have one edge arcuate and extend inward from respective end edges 110. On the outer or working face of each twister plate 66 is provided a raised portion or boss 115, which is located medially between the end edges 110 and is of tapering or convergent configuration from between the notches 114 to a point between the edge portions 113.

On the under or inner side best seen in FIGURES 7 and pivoted levers 120.

of each twister plate 66, 8, are mounted a pair of The levers 120 are each located adjacent to a respective end edge 110, and are each pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, as by a pivot 121 carried by the twister plate 66 and projecting normal thereto. The outer or distal ends of the pivoted levers 120 are each provided with a shaft bearing or journal 122 lying in a plane generally parallel to and beneath the twister plate 66, and extending generally normal to the adjacent pivot 121. The inner ends of levers 120 are connected together by a cross member 123 extending between and having pin-in-slot connections 124 with the adjacent ends of both levers 120. The cross member 123 is fixed to one end of a slide rod 125 which has its other end slidably received in a bearing 126 fixed on the underside of the twister plate 66. Thus, the unitary rod 123 are constrained to sliding movement longitudinally of the rod, which movement effects equal and simultaneous rotation of levers 120 in opposite directions about their pivots 121, as between the positions of FIGURES 7 and 8. A coil compression spring 127 is circumposed about the rod 125 and interposed between the bearing 126 and cross member 123 to urge the latter to its position of FIGURE 7.

Extending from and rotatably supported in each of the journals 122 is an arm or shaft 130. The arms 130 are thus swingable with the levers 120 between positions toward and away from each other, as in FIGURES 7 and 8, respectively. More particularly, in FIGURE 8 the arms 130 are in their position of movement away from each other, respectively adjacent to twister-plate end edges 110, and are swingable in a plane generally parallel to and beneath that of the twister plate to move their distal ends toward each other to the positlon shown in FIGURE 7. In addition to this swinging movement of arms 130, the arms are axially rotatable in their respective journals 122.

Carried at the distal end of each arm is a transverse finger 131, each of which may have an arcuate recess or notch 132, see FIGURES 9 and 11. The fingers 131 are movable with their respective arms 130 upon swinging movement of the latter along adjacent arcuate plate-edge portions 113. In addition, a transverse pm 133 may project from each arm 130, intermediate the ends thereof, for swinging movement with the respective arm along the adjacent notch or slot 114.

Fixedly secured to each twister plate 66, in spaced relation therebelow, are a pair of cam elements 135. The cam elements 135 may each be fixed to the bearing 126 and extend oppositely therefrom beneath respective arms 130. A cam slot 136 is formed in each cam element 135, and a cam follower or pin 137 projects from each arm 130 into the adjacent slot 136. The configuration of slots 136 relative to pins 137 constrains the arms 130 to axial rotation simultaneously with swinging movement or axial displacement thereof about pivots 121. Further, such axial rotation of arms 130 effects rotation of fingers 131 and pins 133 between positions beneath or inward of the working face of the twister plate 66 and positions projecting outward through the working face of the twister plate. More particularly, the fingers 131 and pins 133 are constrained to rotation between the position of FIG- URE 8, wherein the fingers and pins are entirely inward or beneath the working face of twister plate 66, and the position of FIGURE 7 wherein the fingers project outward through and beyond the working face of the twister plate. Thus, upon swinging movement of the arms 130 toward each other from the position of FIGURE 8 to that of FIGURE 7, the fingers 131 swing from behind the working face of the twister plate 66 through and beyond the working face thereof and the pins 133-enter the slots 114.

This operation is effected by an operating lever 140, best seen in FIGURES 4'and 5, and shown in phantom in FIGURES 7 and 8. The operating lever 140 is pivoted intermediate its ends, as at 141- to the yoke 67, having one end 142 extending toward the cross member 123 for abutting engagement with a pin 144 carried by the cross member. Upon rotation of the lever 140 about its pivot 141, the lever end 142 engages the pin 144 to shift the rod 125 against the force of spring 127 from the position of FIGURE 7 to that of FIGURE 8. The other end of lever 140 extends toward the adjacent journal 68 of its respective yoke 67, as at 145, and is there provided with a slot 146. A pin or shaft 147 extends from externally of the drumhead 46 slidably inward through the journal 68, and thence slidably through the slot 146 of lever end 145, see FIGURES 4 and 5. The pin is provided on its end externally of the drum with an enlarged spool-shaped head 148. As best seen in FIGURE 5, upon shifting movement of the pin 147 between its retracted, phantom position and its extended solid-line position, the inner end of the pin rides in lever slot 146 to shift the lever between its normal, inoperative phantom position and its operating, solid-line position.

Associated with each actuating pin 147, externally of the drumhead 146, is a pedestal journal 150 fixed to and projecting outward from the drumhead, and pivotally carrying a follower lever or rod 151. The follower 151 is pivoted intermediate its ends, as at 152 to the outstanding pedestal 150 and has one end bifurcated, as at 153 in receiving engagement with the head 148 of adjacent pin 147. The other end region 154 of each follower lever 151 is located for following engagement with fixed cams 7 155 and 15 6 carried by the sidepiece 42 exteriorly of and adjacent to the drurnhead 46.

Thus, upon rotation of the drum 40 to move a follower lever 151 into engagement with one of the cams 155 and 156, the forked end 153 of the lever is swung outward away from the drumhead 46 to shift the pin 47 outward through the drumhead and swing the operating lever 140 to its solid-line position in FIGURE 5. This swings the fingers 131 and pins 133 to their open position of FIG- URE 8.

As noted hereinbefore, and as best seen in FIGURE 12, the twister plate 66 is carried by the rotary shaft 112 rotatably supported in the journal 70 of yoke 67. The

axis of shaft 112 extends generally through the centerline of twister plate 66, medially between and in parallelism with the end edges 110. A retaining member or disc 160 is carried by the shaft 112 on the side of journal 70 remote from the twister plate 66, and is provided with a clutch element or pin 161 projecting away from the yoke.

Extending rigidly between each pair of flats or plates 47 and 49, on the side of each yoke 67 remote from its associated base plate 59 is a frame member or angle bar 162. The frame members or bars 162 are shown in FIGURE 2 as each having its opposite ends rigidly secured to respective flats 47 and 49, as by fasteners 163. Centrally of each bar 162, adjacent to the yoke journal 70, there is journaled in the bar 162 a rotary shaft 163 in substantial alignment with the adjacent shaft 112 when the working faces of twister and base plate 66 and 59 are generally coplanar. The shaft 163 carries, for rotation therewith, a spur gear 164, and a complementary clutch element or notched plate 165 having a notch 166 adapted to receive the pin or lug 161. Hence, upon rotation of the shaft 163, when the lug 161 is engaged in notch 166, rotation of twister plate 66 is effected about the axis of shaft 112. Of course, the gear 164 is suitably keyed to shaft 163, and the clutch element 165 is also keyed to the shaft, as by pin 167.

Operation of this twisting mechanism is effected by an operating lever 170 pivoted intermediate its ends to the adjacent tie member 50, as at 171. The outer end of lever 176 is provided with a gear segment 172, see FIG- URE 13, while the inner lever end carries a cam fol- .lower 173. A cam 174 is fixed to the fixed shaft 41 and defines thereabout a circumferential track 175 having a portion 176 offset from the remainder of the track longitudinally of the shaft 41. Upon drum rotation, the cam follower 173 moves along the track 175 and the operating lever remains stationary relative to the drum, until the cam follower moves in the offset cam portion 176. The lever 170 is then rotated about its pivot 171 and causes rotation of gear 164, which, through clutch 160, 165 effects rotation of twister plate 66 about the axis of shaft 112. By the configuration of track 175, the follower 173 first moves out, during which movement the twister plate is twisted, thence remains in the outwardly moved position, and finally moves into the original follower position. As will appear presently, the initial outward movement of cam follower 173 in track 175 causes 360-degree rotation of the twister plate to return the same to its original position, and upon return movement of the cam follower to the major track portion, the cam elements 160, 165 are disengaged so as to cause no twisting action of the twister plate.

Each yoke 67 is of a modified or spread U-shaped con-figuration having its end portions 68 and 69 adjacent to respective drumheads 46 and 48, and journaled therein. As best seen in FIGURE 5, the yoke end portion or journal 68 may include a tubular shaft 180 journaled in the drumhead 46 slidably receiving the pin 147. The other end portion 69 of each yoke 67 maybe provided with a shaft 181 in alignment with the shaft 180 of the respective yoke and journaled in the drum-head 48, see FIGURE 6. Each yoke 67 is thereby swingable or fold-able to overlie its adjacent base plate 59, the associated twister plate 66 being carried with the yoke into overlying relation with the formations 72, 73 and 74.

A gear 182 may be suitably keyed to each yoke shaft 181 exteriorly of the drumhead 48. Adjacent to each gear 182 is pivotally mounted an arm or lever 183, see FIGURE 14, as by pivot means 184 carried by the drumhead 48. Each arm 183 is provided with a gear segment 185 in meshing engagement with the adjacent gear 182. A cam follower, such as a roller 186 is also carried by each lever or arm 183 remote from the drumhead 48. A cam track 187 is fixedly secured to the side piece 43, being circumposed about the shaft 41 outward of the arms 183 to receive the followers 186.

The cam track 187 is, throughout its major portion, of circular configuration, as at 188, concentric with shaft 41, and includes an offset or lobe portion 189 extending radially beyond the circular portion. Upon rotation of an arm 183 its gear sector 185 causes rotation of meshing gear 182 and effects swinging or folding action of the associated yoke 67. Such rotation of the arms 183 is effected by movement of the cams 186 along the peaked or lobe portion 189 of cam track 187. More particularly, as a cam follower 1S6 moves outward to the radially furthermost portion of lobe 189, the associated yoke 67 is folded over into closely overlying relation with its adjacent base plate 59. Upon continued movement of follower 168 along the lobe 189 returning to the circular portion 188 the yoke is returned to its coplanar relation with adjacent base plate 59.

On the radially inner side of lobe portion 189, the track is defined by a track portion or piece 190 which is pivoted, as at 191 and resiliently urged to a limiting radially outward position by the force of a tension coil spring 192 acting through a shaft 193 slidable in a fixed bearing bracket 194. The shaft 193 is pivotally connected, as at 195 to the track piece 190.

In operation, when a dough strip 30 is delivered to a forming mechanism, as in FIGURE 1, the fingers 131 and 133 are swung to their fully open position of FIGURE 8 by engagement of follower member 151 with cam 155. The dough strip is thus deposited on the arcuate segments 72, 73 and 74, as seen in FIGURE 3, With the doughstrip legs 32 depending vertically and overlying the fingers 131 and pins 133. As the follower 151 passes. the cam upon clockwise rotation of drum 40, as seen in FIGURE 1, the fingers 131 and pins 133 swing to their closed position, that of FIGURE 7. This effects pinching of the dough-strip legs, as seen in FIGURElb, the fingers 131 engaging the indented dough-strip portions 33, see FIGURE 9, and the pins 133 holding additional dough-strip portions against the boss 115.

Immediately upon closure of fingers 131, cam follower 173 of the twisting mechanism moves into portion 176 of cam track 175 and effects 360-degree rotation of the twister plate 66; upon this twisting action being completed, with the twisting-mechanism cam follower 173 in the straight, parallel offset region of cam portion 176,

the yoke 67 is folded upon the base plate 59 to lay the twisted dough-strip legs over the bight region of the dough strip. Upon this folding action of the yoke 67, the clutch-element pin 161 is disengaged from the clutchelement notch 166, so that the clutch elements and are disengaged. During this disengagement of the clutch elements, the follower 173 of the twisting mechanism returns to the major part of track 155, swinging lever to its original position and returning cam element 165 360 degrees to its original position, preparatory to repeated twisting action. a

With the yoke 67 folded over upon the base plate 59 and the dough strip in its substantially completed pretzel formation, the paster pins 76and 77 of the base plate are extended by engagement of follower 82 with cam 83 to effect pasting of the dough-strip ends, as at 34in FIGURE 1d. The fingers 131 and pins 133 are opened by'actuation of cam 156, and the yoke 67 returned to its original position, the clutch-member pin 161 engaging in the clutch-member notch 166.

Ejection of a formed pretzel is then effected by movement of ejector cam follower 104 to the lobe of cam 105 to extend the ejector members 86 and 87, as shown in phantom in FIGURE 1.

Of course, this cycle is repeated for each forming unit; and the several forming units are performing the abovedescribed operation simultaneously to provide extremely rapid production.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a pretzel-forming device which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, installation, maintenance and operation.

Although the prwent invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a pretzel-twisting machine, a rotatable drum, and a plurality of forming units about the periphery of said drum, said forming units each comprising a pair of ad jacent plates mounted along the periphery of said drum, a formation on one of said plates for medially engaging a delivered dough strip to support the latter in U-shaped relation with its legs overlying the other plate, a pair of arms pivotally carried on the inner side of said other plate for swinging movement toward and away from each other, journal means mounting said arms for simultaneous axial rotation and swinging movement, transverse fingers on said arms swingable therewith toward and away from each other and rotatable with said arms between positions inward of and projecting outward through said other plate, constraining means on said other plate and arms constraining the latter to synchronized motion for rotating said fingers outward when said arms are swung together to pinch said dough-strip legs, and mounting means mounting said plates for relative pivotal movement to twist the legs of said dough strip and relative swinging movement to swing the legs to the bight of said dough stri 2 A pretzel-twisting machine according to claim -1, said one plate being fixed relative to said drum, and said mounting means mounting said other plate for said twisting and swinging movement.

3. A pretzel-twisting machine according to claim 2, in combination with paster means carried by said one plate for extension therefrom and retraction therein radially of said drum, and paster-actuating means interiorly of said drum and operative upon drum rotation to extend said paster means to paste the dough-strip legs to the doughstrip bight.

4. A pretzel-twisting machine according to claim 2, in combination with ejector means carried by said one plate for extensile and retractile movement radially of said drum, and ejector-actuating means interiorly of said drum and operative upon drum rotation to extend said ejector means to eject a dough strip from said one plate.

5. A pretzel-twisting machine according to claim 1, in combination with operating means carried by said drum and connected to said constraining means for effecting said arm movement, and fixed actuating means engageable with said operating means upon drum rotation to actuate said operating means.

6. A pretzel-twisting machine according to claim 1, said constraining means comprising a cam member fixed H S d ot er plate, and cam-follower means on said arms 1a and operative to rotate the latter upon swinging movement thereof.

7. A pretzel-forming device comprising a support, a pair of plates carried by said support and having generally coplanar work faces, a receiver formation on the working face of one plate for medial engagement with a delivered dough strip to support the latter in U-shaped relation with the legs thereof overlying the work face of the other plate, a pair of arms carried by said other plate behind the work face thereof for swinging movement toward each other simultaneously with axial rotation in opposite direc tions, fingers on said arms swingable therewith toward and away from each other and rotatable with said arms between positions behind and projecting through the work face of said other plate, guide means synchronizing the movement of said fingers toward each other and outward through said other-plate work face for pinching said legs, and mounting means mounting said plates on said support for relative twisting and swinging movement to twist the legs of said dough strip and swing said legs to the bight of said dough strip.

8. A pretzel-forming device according to claim 7, said one plate being fixed to said support, and said mounting means comprising a first pivot means mounting said other plate for twisting movement about an axis generally symmetrical with said delivered dough strip, and a second pivot means transverse of said first pivot means and mounting said other plate for swinging movement into overlying relation with said one plate.

9. A pretzel-forming device comprising a support, a pair of plates carriedby said support and having generally coplanar work faces, a receiver formation on the work face of one plate for medial engagement with a delivered dough strip to support the latter in U-shaped relation with the legs thereof overlying the work face of the other plate, a pair of levers pivoted to said other plate behind the work face thereof for rotation about axes generally normal to said other plate, operating means for effecting simultaneous pivotal movement of said levers, journal means carried by each of said levers extending transverse of their respective pivot axes and swingable with said levers toward and away from each other, arms journaled in said journal means for axial rotation simultaneously with swinging movement with said levers toward and away from each other, fingers projecting transversely from said arms and rotatable therewith through and forward beyond the work face of said other plate for pinching together the legs of said dough strip, and mounting means mounting said plates on said support for relative twisting and swinging movement to twist the legs of said dough strip and swing said legs to the bight of said dough strip.

10. A pretzel-forming device according to claim 9, said mounting means comprising transverse pivot means mounting said other plate, and said one plate being relatively fixed.

-11. A pretzel-forming device according to claim in combination with cam means connected between said other plate and arms for simultaneously rotating said arms upon swinging movement of the latter toward each other to rotate said fingers and eifect said pinching action.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,628,577 2/1953 Gipe 107-8 2,747,523 5/1956 Groff 107-8 WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner. J. SHEA, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A PRETZEL-TWISTING MACHINE, A ROTATABLE DRUM, AND A PLURALITY OF FORMING UNITS ABOUT THHE PERIPHERY OF SAID DRUM, SAID FORMING UNITS EACH COMPRISING A PAIR OF ADJACENT PLATES MOUNTED ALONG THE PERIPHERY OF SAID DRUM, A FORMATION ON ONE OF SAID PLATES FOR MEDIALLY ENGAGING A DELIVERED DOUGH STRIP TO SUPPORT THE LATTER IN U-SHAPED RELATION WITH ITS LEGS OVERLYING THE OTHER PLATE, A PAIR OF ARMS PIVOTALLY CARRIED ON THE INNER SIDE OF SAID OTHER PLATE FOR SWINGING MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, JOURNAL MEANS MOUNTING SAID ARMS FOR SIMULTANEOUS AXIAL ROTATION AND SWINGING MOVEMENT, TRANSVERSE FINGERS ON SAID ARMS SWINGABLE THEREWITH TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER AND ROTATABLE WITH SAID ARMS BETWEEN POSITIONS INWARD OF AND PROJECTING OUTWARD THROUGH SAID OTHER PLATE, CONSTRAINING MEANS ON SAID OTHER PLATE AND ARMS CONSTRAINING THE LATTER TO SYNCHRONIZED MOTION FOR ROTATING SAID FINGERS OUTWARD WHEN SAID ARMS ARE SWUNG TOGETHER TO PINCH SAID DOUGH-STRIP LEGS, AND MOUNTING MEANS MOUNTING SAID PLATES FOR RELATIVE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT TO TWIST THE LEGS OF SAID DOUGH STRIP AND RELATIVE SWINGING MOVEMENT TO SWING THE LEGS TO THE BIGHT OF SAID DOUGH STRIP. 